Off-season League Updates: Notes on Hernandez, Galvis, Bastardo & More

Throughout the autumn and winter months, we’ll have a weekly rundowns of how Phillies players are performing in the various leagues around the globe. Read ahead for the latest on many familiar names, some top prospects and plenty more.

Venezuelan Winter League-

Cesar Hernandez, image- Jay Floyd

Second baseman Cesar Hernandez– The 23-year-old is 6-for-29 (.207 avg) in his last eight games. Overall in 31 games for Margarita, Hernandez, who has also been playing center field, has posted a .254 average with two home runs, 15 RBI and two steals. Hernandez batted .289 with five doubles and 10 RBI in 34 games with the Phillies and was honored as a Triple-A All-Star this past season.

Shortstop Freddy Galvis– The 23-year-old is batting .295 with eight doubles, one triple and two homers along with 12 RBI in 27 games. The switch-hitting Galvis is batting .295 from both sides of the plate for Zulia. Galvis sported a .234 average with six home runs and 19 RBI in 70 big league games this year.

RHP Severino Gonzalez– The 21-year-old, who was honored as the Phils’ Paul Owens Award winner this year, has posted a 0-1 record along with an 8.10 ERA in four appearances for La Guaira. In 6 2/3 innings in the Venezuelan League, Gonzalez has struck out five batters and walked seven. In the regular season, Gonzalez posted a 7-5 record with a 2.00 ERA and a 10.33 K/9 mark in 25 games at three levels.

LHP Cesar Jimenez– The 29-year-old has tallied a 0-1 record and a 5.68 ERA in six appearances for Lara. Jimenez has struck out six and walked two in 6 1/3 innings. In 19 big league games this year, Jimenez posted a 1-1 record along with a 3.71 ERA and a .226 batting average against.

Mexican Winter League…

LHP Manuel Chavez- The 19-year-old has a 0-2 record with a 3.60 ERA and a .308 batting average against in 16 relief appearances for Mexicali. In 10 innings Chavez has struck out 10 batters and walked four. This year with the Phils’ Venezuelan Summer League team Chavez tallied a 9-0 record with a 2.18 ERA in 14 starts.

Catcher Sebastian Valle– The righty batting 23-year-old went 11-for-20 over a six game stretch last week. Overall in 25 games Valle has a .266 average with five doubles, a home run and three RBI. Valle sported a .203 batting average with 12 homers and 41 RBI in 98 games with Double-A Reading this year.

Dominican Winter League…

LHP Antonio Bastardo– The 28-year-old has a 1.35 ERA in seven outings for the Gigantes. Through 6 2/3 innings, Bastardo has struck out 12 batters while walking two. In 48 big league games this year, before missing time due to a banned substance suspension, Bastardo had a 3-2 record with two saves and a 2.32 ERA.

3B Maikel Franco– The 21-year-old has been spending considerable time at first base for the Gigantes. In his last four games, Franco is 0-for-14. Overall, in 27 games the righty batting Franco has tallied a .255 average with six doubles and nine RBI. Franco had an excellent 2013, mashing 31 homers and driving in 103 runs in 134 games with Clearwater and Reading during the regular season.

Catcher Tommy Joseph– The 22-year-old righty hitter has a .238 average with two doubles and two RBI through seven games for the Estrellas. Joseph missed considerable time with concussion related issues this year and batted .179 in 36 minor league games.

OF Leandro Castro– The 24-year-old sports a .237 average with five doubles and six RBI in 20 games for the Estrellas. In 117 games for Triple-A Lehigh Valley this year, the righty batting Castro tallied a .256 average with eight home runs and 55 RBI.

RHP Luis Garcia– The 26-year-old has a 1-0 record with a 4.05 ERA and a .227 batting average against through seven games for the Estrellas. In 24 games at three levels of the minors this year, Garcia posted a 3.73 ERA and a .237 batting average against.

RHP Hector Neris– The 24-year-old sports a 1-0 record along with a 1.35 ERA while striking out three and walking five in 6 2/3 innings pitched for the Toros. Neris posted a 6-4 record with a 4.55 ERA and a .241 batting average against in 46 games this year for Double-A Reading.